RSS FeedDraft Status of the 2018 Season Pro Bowl Selections
By Chris Malumphy
The initial selections have been made for the 2019 Pro Bowl teams. Long-snappers will be selected later by the Pro Bowl coaches and alternates will undoubtedly be added to the rosters in place of players who will miss the game due to injury or participation in the Super Bowl. While the selection method may be flawed, those who made the Pro Bowl rosters are recognized as among the best at their positions. It is therefore enlightening to see where these players were selected in their respective NFL drafts to see whether NFL front offices are able to identify top players at draft time and to note which players have exceeded expectations.
Naturally, the overwhelming number of Pro Bowl players were selected in the early rounds of their draft but the results vary considerably by position.
Of the six quarterbacks picked for the 2019 Pro Bowl, four were 1st round draft choices. The two that weren't also happen to be the oldest starting quarterbacks in the NFL: Tom Brady (2000, 6th round, 199th player) and Drew Brees (2001, 2nd round, 32nd player). Brady is the player who was selected latest in a draft to make this year's team.
Each of the 6 outside linebackers selected to play in the 2019 Pro Bowl were drafted in the 1st round, including four with top ten picks, and none later than the 23rd selection. In addition, the inside linebackers were all 1st and 2nd round selections. If you need a linebacker in the draft don't delay, it seems that the best go mighty early.
Teams also grab the top cornerbacks early with all eight of the 2019 Pro Bowl selections going within the top 38 picks of their draft, including six 1st rounders (three within the top 5 choices) and two 2nd rounders, the latest with the 7th pick in that round.
While the running back position has been denigrated in recent years, four of the six 2019 Pro Bowlers were selected within the first 15 picks in their draft. Only 3rd rounder James Conner of the Steelers and the undrafted Phillip Lindsay of the Broncos provide evidence supporting the position that topflight running backs can be overlooked early.
Conversely, the only wide receiver selected in the top half of a draft to make the 2019 Pro Bowl team was the Falcons Julio Jones. Moreover three of the eight wide receivers were drafted, if at all, only after more than 160 players had been selected.
Per usual, the best offensive tackles tend to be selected in the top half of the 1st round. Four of the six who made the 2019 Pro Bowl roster were among the top 11 picks in their draft.
Guards were evenly split between 1st and 3rd rounders. Three of the four centers were drafted in the middle of the first round with the fourth being selected near the midpoint of round two. Note that the brothers Pouncey nabbed both of the AFC center positions.
The defensive ends were generally high draft picks with four 1st rounders (J.J. Watt, Myles Garrett, Melvin Ingram and Cameron Jordan), a high 2nd rounder (DeMarcus Lawrence) and a late 3rd rounder (Danielle Hunter).
The selections for interior defensive linemen included 1st rounders Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox and Cameron Heyward, 3rd round choices Jurrell Casey and Akiem Hicks, and 4th rounder Geno Atkins.
Three of the six safeties (both strong and free) were 1st rounders with two 2nd rounders and a 4th rounder.
Shoutouts are due to undrafted players who made the 2019 Pro Bowl at starting offensive positions including: Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen, Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Alejandro Villanueva.
No undrafted player was selected for a defensive position.
Several undrafted players were selected for their standout play on special teams with big markets dominating the action. New York city provides both place kickers with the Jets providing Jason Myers and the Giants Aldrick Rojas, both undrafted. The city of Los Angeles counters by sending both special team selections, each undrafted: the Chargers Adrian Phillips joined by the Rams Cory Littleton. Tennessee Titans punter Brett Kern was also undrafted.
Of course, since being selected to the Pro Bowl team is somewhat more like winning a popularity contest than being technically certified as the best at your position. Nevertheless, the players picked are generally held in high regard.
As an aside, isn't it mildly confusing that the players recognized as the best during the 2018 season are identified with the 2019 Pro Bowl. Sure the game is played in 2019. But gee-whiz, when someone wants to look up who were the best players during the 2018 season, should they really have to look at the "2019" Pro Bowl selections.
| Draft Status of 2018 Season Pro Bowl Selections | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterbacks | |||||||||
| Conference | Name | Team | Drafted | Drafted By | Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| AFC | Patrick Mahomes | Chiefs | 2017 | Chiefs | 1 | 10 | 10 | QB | Texas Tech |
| AFC | Philip Rivers | Chargers | 2004 | Giants | 1 | 4 | 4 | QB | North Carolina State |
| AFC | Tom Brady | Patriots | 2000 | Patriots | 6 | 33 | 199 | QB | Michigan |
| NFC | Drew Brees | Saints | 2001 | Chargers | 2 | 1 | 32 | QB | Purdue |
| NFC | Jared Goff | Rams | 2016 | Rams | 1 | 1 | 1 | QB | California |
| NFC | Aaron Rodgers | Packers | 2005 | Packers | 1 | 24 | 24 | QB | California |
| Running Backs | |||||||||
| Conference | Name | Team | Drafted | Drafted By | Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| AFC | James Conner | Steelers | 2017 | Steelers | 3 | 41 | 105 | RB | Pittsburgh |
| AFC | Melvin Gordon | Chargers | 2015 | Chargers | 1 | 15 | 15 | RB | Wisconsin |
| AFC | Phillip Lindsay | Broncos | Colorado | ||||||
| NFC | Todd Gurley | Rams | 2015 | Rams | 1 | 10 | 10 | RB | Georgia |
| NFC | Saquon Barkley | Giants | 2018 | Giants | 1 | 2 | 2 | RB | Penn State |
| NFC | Ezekiel Elliott | Cowboys | 2016 | Cowboys | 1 | 4 | 4 | RB | Ohio State |
| Fullbacks | |||||||||
| Conference | Name | Team | Drafted | Drafted By | Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| AFC | Anthony Sherman | Chiefs | 2011 | Cardinals | 5 | 5 | 136 | RB | Connecticut |
| NFC | Kyle Juszczyk | 49ers | 2013 | Ravens | 4 | 33 | 130 | RB | Harvard |
| Wide Receivers | |||||||||
| Conference | Name | Team | Drafted | Drafted By | Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| AFC | DeAndre Hopkins | Texans | 2013 | Texans | 1 | 27 | 27 | WR | Clemson |
| AFC | Tyreek Hill | Chiefs | 2016 | Chiefs | 5 | 28 | 165 | WR | West Alabama |
| AFC | Antonio Brown | Steelers | 2010 | Steelers | 6 | 26 | 195 | WR | Central Michigan |
| AFC | Keenan Allen | Chargers | 2013 | Chargers | 3 | 14 | 76 | WR | California |
| NFC | Julio Jones | Falcons | 2011 | Falcons | 1 | 6 | 6 | WR | Alabama |
| NFC | Michael Thomas | Saints | 2016 | Saints | 2 | 16 | 47 | WR | Ohio State |
| NFC | Adam Thielen | Vikings | Minnesota State | ||||||
| NFC | Davante Adams | Packers | 2014 | Packers | 2 | 21 | 53 | WR | Fresno State |
| Tight Ends | |||||||||
| Conference | Name | Team | Drafted | Drafted By | Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| AFC | Travis Kelce | Chiefs | 2013 | Chiefs | 3 | 1 | 63 | TE | Cincinnati |
| AFC | Eric Ebron | Colts | 2014 | Lions | 1 | 10 | 10 | TE | North Carolina |
| NFC | Zach Ertz | Eagles | 2013 | Eagles | 2 | 3 | 35 | TE | Stanford |
| NFC | George Kittle | 49ers | 2017 | 49ers | 5 | 2 | 146 | TE | Iowa |
| Tackles | |||||||||
| Conference | Name | Team | Drafted | Drafted By | Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| AFC | Taylor Lewan | Titans | 2014 | Titans | 1 | 11 | 11 | T | Michigan |
| AFC | Alejandro Villanueva | Steelers | Army | ||||||
| AFC | Eric Fisher | Chiefs | 2013 | Chiefs | 1 | 1 | 1 | T | Central Michigan |
| NFC | Tyron Smith | Cowboys | 2011 | Cowboys | 1 | 9 | 9 | T | USC |
| NFC | Terron Armstead | Saints | 2013 | Saints | 3 | 13 | 75 | T | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| NFC | Trent Williams | Redskins | 2010 | Redskins | 1 | 4 | 4 | T | Oklahoma |
| Guards | |||||||||
| Conference | Name | Team | Drafted | Drafted By | Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| AFC | David DeCastro | Steelers | 2012 | Steelers | 1 | 24 | 24 | G | Stanford |
| AFC | Marshal Yanda | Ravens | 2007 | Ravens | 3 | 23 | 86 | G | Iowa |
| AFC | Quenton Nelson | Colts | 2018 | Colts | 1 | 6 | 6 | G | Notre Dame |
| NFC | Zack Martin | Cowboys | 2014 | Cowboys | 1 | 16 | 16 | T | Notre Dame |
| NFC | Brandon Brooks | Eagles | 2012 | Texans | 3 | 13 | 76 | G | Miami (OH) |
| NFC | Trai Turner | Panthers | 2014 | Panthers | 3 | 28 | 92 | G | Louisiana State |
| Centers | |||||||||
| Conference | Name | Team | Drafted | Drafted By | Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| AFC | Maurkice Pouncey | Steelers | 2010 | Steelers | 1 | 18 | 18 | C | Florida |
| AFC | Mike Pouncey | Chargers | 2011 | Dolphins | 1 | 15 | 15 | G | Florida |
| NFC | Alex Mack | Falcons | 2009 | Browns | 1 | 21 | 21 | C | California |
| NFC | Max Unger | Saints | 2009 | Seahawks | 2 | 17 | 49 | C | Oregon |
| Defensive Ends | |||||||||
| Conference | Name | Team | Drafted | Drafted By | Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| AFC | J.J. Watt | Texans | 2011 | Texans | 1 | 11 | 11 | DE | Wisconsin |
| AFC | Myles Garrett | Browns | 2017 | Browns | 1 | 1 | 1 | DE | Texas A&M |
| AFC | Melvin Ingram | Chargers | 2012 | Chargers | 1 | 18 | 18 | DE | South Carolina |
| NFC | Cameron Jordan | Saints | 2011 | Saints | 1 | 24 | 24 | DE | California |
| NFC | DeMarcus Lawrence | Cowboys | 2014 | Cowboys | 2 | 2 | 34 | DE | Boise State |
| NFC | Danielle Hunter | Vikings | 2015 | Vikings | 3 | 24 | 88 | DE | Louisiana State |
| Interior Defensive Linemen | |||||||||
| Conference | Name | Team | Drafted | Drafted By | Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| AFC | Geno Atkins | Bengals | 2010 | Bengals | 4 | 22 | 120 | DT | Georgia |
| AFC | Jurrell Casey | Titans | 2011 | Titans | 3 | 13 | 77 | DT | USC |
| AFC | Cameron Heyward | Steelers | 2011 | Steelers | 1 | 31 | 31 | DE | Ohio State |
| NFC | Aaron Donald | Rams | 2014 | Rams | 1 | 13 | 13 | DT | Pittsburgh |
| NFC | Fletcher Cox | Eagles | 2012 | Eagles | 1 | 12 | 12 | DT | Mississippi State |
| NFC | Akiem Hicks | Bears | 2012 | Saints | 3 | 26 | 89 | DE | Regina |
| Inside Linebackers | |||||||||
| Conference | Name | Team | Drafted | Drafted By | Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| AFC | C.J. Mosley | Ravens | 2014 | Ravens | 1 | 17 | 17 | LB | Alabama |
| AFC | Benardrick McKinney | Texans | 2015 | Texans | 2 | 11 | 43 | LB | Mississippi State |
| NFC | Luke Kuechly | Panthers | 2012 | Panthers | 1 | 9 | 9 | LB | Boston College |
| NFC | Bobby Wagner | Seahawks | 2012 | Seahawks | 2 | 15 | 47 | LB | Utah State |
| Outside Linebackers | |||||||||
| Conference | Name | Team | Drafted | Drafted By | Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| AFC | Von Miller | Broncos | 2011 | Broncos | 1 | 2 | 2 | LB | Texas A&M |
| AFC | Jadeveon Clowney | Texans | 2014 | Texans | 1 | 1 | 1 | DE | South Carolina |
| AFC | Dee Ford | Chiefs | 2014 | Chiefs | 1 | 23 | 23 | DE | Auburn |
| NFC | Khalil Mack | Bears | 2014 | Raiders | 1 | 5 | 5 | LB | Buffalo |
| NFC | Ryan Kerrigan | Redskins | 2011 | Redskins | 1 | 16 | 16 | LB | Purdue |
| NFC | Anthony Barr | Vikings | 2014 | Vikings | 1 | 9 | 9 | LB | UCLA |
| Cornerbacks | |||||||||
| Conference | Name | Team | Drafted | Drafted By | Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| AFC | Xavien Howard | Dolphins | 2016 | Dolphins | 2 | 7 | 38 | DB | Baylor |
| AFC | Jalen Ramsey | Jaguars | 2016 | Jaguars | 1 | 5 | 5 | DB | Florida State |
| AFC | Stephon Gilmore | Patriots | 2012 | Bills | 1 | 10 | 10 | DB | South Carolina |
| AFC | Denzel Ward | Browns | 2018 | Browns | 1 | 4 | 4 | DB | Ohio State |
| NFC | Kyle Fuller | Bears | 2014 | Bears | 1 | 14 | 14 | DB | Virginia Tech |
| NFC | Patrick Peterson | Cardinals | 2011 | Cardinals | 1 | 5 | 5 | DB | Louisiana State |
| NFC | Darius Slay | Lions | 2013 | Lions | 2 | 4 | 36 | DB | Mississippi State |
| NFC | Byron Jones | Cowboys | 2015 | Cowboys | 1 | 27 | 27 | DB | Connecticut |
| Free Safeties | |||||||||
| Conference | Name | Team | Drafted | Drafted By | Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| AFC | Derwin James | Chargers | 2018 | Chargers | 1 | 17 | 17 | DB | Florida State |
| AFC | Eric Weddle | Ravens | 2007 | Chargers | 2 | 5 | 37 | DB | Utah |
| NFC | Eddie Jackson | Bears | 2017 | Bears | 4 | 5 | 112 | DB | Alabama |
| NFC | Harrison Smith | Vikings | 2012 | Vikings | 1 | 29 | 29 | DB | Notre Dame |
| Strong Safeties | |||||||||
| Conference | Name | Team | Drafted | Drafted By | Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| AFC | Jamal Adams | Jets | 2017 | Jets | 1 | 6 | 6 | DB | Louisiana State |
| NFC | Landon Collins | Giants | 2015 | Giants | 2 | 1 | 33 | DB | Alabama |
| Punters | |||||||||
| Conference | Name | Team | Drafted | Drafted By | Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| AFC | Brett Kern | Titans | Toledo | ||||||
| NFC | Michael Dickson | Seahawks | 2018 | Seahawks | 5 | 12 | 149 | P | Texas |
| Kickers | |||||||||
| Conference | Name | Team | Drafted | Drafted By | Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| AFC | Jason Myers | Jets | Marist | ||||||
| NFC | Aldrick Rosas | Giants | Southern Oregon | ||||||
| Return Specialists | |||||||||
| Conference | Name | Team | Drafted | Drafted By | Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| AFC | Andre Roberts | Jets | 2010 | Cardinals | 3 | 24 | 88 | WR | Citadel |
| NFC | Tarik Cohen | Bears | 2017 | Bears | 4 | 13 | 119 | RB | North Carolina A&T |
| Special Teams | |||||||||
| Conference | Name | Team | Drafted | Drafted By | Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| AFC | Adrian Phillips | Chargers | Texas | ||||||
| NFC | Cory Littleton | Rams | Washington | ||||||
